This text is part of the special Research section
Build a system to improve our existing buildings on a large scale to make them less energy-intensive: this is the bet of the ReCONstruct research and development project, which brings together researchers from McGill University and partners from the public and private.
Retrofitting buildings with low-carbon solutions (instead of building new) is an inherently sustainable approach, according to Professor Michael Jemtrud, of McGill University’s School of Architecture, founder of the DeCARB research group (Decarbonized Architecture and Building), at the origin of the ReCONstruct program. “The challenge is to develop the capacity to renovate buildings on a large scale in Canada, starting with Quebec,” he says.
For the professor, current incentive programs, such as Canada Greener Homes, which offer $5,000 grants to individuals to change their doors, windows or water heaters, have only a minimal effect on the achievement of our energy renovation objectives to combat climate change.
Create a turnkey approach
The ReCONstruct program is conducted in partnership with industry and public sector players, such as Hydro-Québec, the Société d’habitation du Québec and the Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources. “There is no single recipe in the world for modernizing the building stock. We therefore aim to develop a solution specific to Quebec by taking into account the local context (supply chain, labor capacities, etc.),” explains Michael Jemtrud.
The research team is working to develop a digital platform to assess the ecology of existing constructions and design suitable solutions. These tools will make “deep energy retrofits” more accessible to contractors and the general public. They consist of upgrading the mechanical and active systems of the existing building and surrounding it with a new outer shell, “like putting a knitted fabric on it”, explains the professor.
These low-carbon solutions must be able to be deployed quickly at scale, with minimal disruption to occupants. “We are looking for the best way to mass-produce the outer casings in the form of pre-fabricated panels,” says Michael Jemtrud.
At least 7% of Canada’s building stock should be retrofitted each year to improve energy efficiency, while we’re barely at 1%
Pilot projects will be set up in collaboration with Hydro-Québec and municipalities, in particular. “Four buildings are currently candidates. We are only at the beginning”, indicates the professor, who wishes to extend the experiment to groups of larger buildings (approximately 180 dwellings) this summer.
A big challenge
Global warming is accelerating at a faster rate than expected, and we are far from our goals, warns Michael Jemtrud. “At least 7% of the Canadian building stock should be renovated each year to improve its energy efficiency, while we are barely at 1%”, reveals the professor.
This gigantic task requires more collaboration between the public and private sectors. “ReCONstruct is designed to be a catalyst. We want to design and demonstrate a working model that can be adopted by industry and government in the short term,” says Jemtrud, who hopes to deliver a beta version of the tools and strategies within 18 to 24 months.
Ultimately, the potential energy savings are considerable. “The deep energy renovations modernizing the systems and the external envelope make it possible to reduce the energy consumption of buildings by 80 to 90%”, indicates the professor.
In Ontario, the renovation of a 146-unit building (CityHousing Hamilton) reduced its greenhouse gas emissions by 94% and its heating energy consumption by 91%. On a large scale, the Netherlands is a pioneer with its EnergieSprong (“energy leap”) program, which has made it possible to renovate more than 5,500 Dutch buildings in less than ten days each, and sometimes even in a single day.